Catalytic wet air oxidation of low molecular weight carboxylic acids usinga carbon supported platinum catalyst

Aqueous solutions of low molecular weight carboxylic acids, such as acetic, propionic and butyric acids, were treated by catalytic wet air oxidation ( CWAO) using a carbon supported platinum catalyst. Oxidation in the presence of the catalyst, in a stirred reactor, was carried out at 200 degrees C an d 6.9 bar of oxygen partial pressure, with conversions (after 2 h) ranging from 59.4 to 75%, and selectivities to gaseous products of up to 100%. Init ial rates for conversion varied from 184 (butyric acid) to 260 mmol h(-1) g (pt)(-1) (propionic acid). The activation energy for butyric acid conversio n was found to be 56.7 kJ mol(-1) (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.